Eye of the Peguin...

This is a card I have wanted for a long time and just never pulled the trigger on it.

It's an on card autograph of one the greatest hockey players of all time, Mario Lemieux.

After the disappointing end to the Pirates season last night, I am moving on to watching hockey.

Nothing like the Penguins logo and a HoF auto to cheer up this Pittsburgh fan. 

MANUPATCHES INVASION!!!!

Short on time today so just a quick post of some Pittsburgh logos

Up first is my favorite sport: baseball and the logo of the Pittsburgh Pirates

2013 Topps Andrew McCutchen Patch

Cutch is by far my favorite player to collect cardboard of so it's only fitting that I added another manupatch of the 2013 NL MVP.

Next up is my second favorite sport: Hockey

2010-11 Leaf Limited Nick Johnson AUTO Manupatch 54/299

It's been awhile since I added a hockey card to my collection so when I came across this Nick Johnson auto manupatch for only $5, I felt that I needed to pull the trigger.  Johnson was selected 67th overall in the 2004 NHL Draft (the same year that Evgeni Malkin was selected 2nd overall)

30 cents well spent

I recently won these two fine cards of Steel City star players, Sidney Crosby and Antonio Brown for a combined price of 30 cents.  To achieve free shipping I combined it with my 2013-14 Hoops Team Set of the Pacers seen below.

The two highlights of this budget friendly team set are the two Pacers All-Stars, Paul George and Roy Hibbert.  The one thing I've started to like about collecting basketball cards over baseball is the action shots.  Very seldomly do you see Panini used photoshoot pictures like what Topps does for baseball.

All together, I received all 12 cards for $2.05.  Money well spent, I say.  Money well spent.

Let it snow, let it snow

New Jersey is currently under a snowstorm.  It's expected that we'll only get about 6 inches total.  No biggie.  While sifting through my football card collection trying to find a card played in the snow, I remembered the 2009 Winter Classic played in Buffalo when the Penguins beat the Sabres.

2008-09 O Pee Chee

Here's a card from my collection to show off that 1st Winter Classic bout.

It's a Fleury of a post on Friday

I have trouble keeping up with daily updates on the blog.  So I figured I would treat you guys to two posts on the same day.  Something strange happened in the Animal Kingdom last night as the Penguins killed the Sharks.  WRAP YOUR MIND AROUND THAT ONE, ANIMAL PLANET FOLLOWERS!

Sidney Crosby continued to dominate and got himself 3 more points as he assisted in 3 of the Penguins 5 goals.

The star of the game though was Marc-Andre Fleury who had 44 goals.
44 GOALS!!!

That's a hot glove if I ever saw one.


Which I recently did see on ebay.  I grabbed this 2006 McDonald's Hot Glove insert of the Flower for just a couple bucks about 2 months ago.

The dicut card is shaped like a goalie's glove and features Marc in one of his classic poses.

Oh, how I miss buying Upper Deck products.

Mario Lemieux Rookie!!!!!

The Penguins 2013-14 season kicks off today so I figured, now is as a good a time as ever to show off one of my summer acquisitions.

Mario Lemieux is one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

And now I own his rookie card from 1985-86 Topps.  I grabbed this beauty for $42.  That's half the price that many others have sold for.  Sorry for the crooked scan.  I don't know what's wrong with my scanner.

LET'S GO PENS!!!!

I'll take $1, Bob (pt2)

My Penguins collection is not nearly as expansive of my Pirates collection which is a damn shame cause the Penguins have had some extremely good teams the past couple years.  However, there is one player that I love to collect of the Pens and that is Kris Letang.  The dude's a badass Defenseman and most of the time acts as an extra Forward when he's on the ice.  Even though he's missed considerable time he still leads the NHL Dmen in points this season.

I managed to grab 7 of his cards at the mall show as part of the 25 cards for $20 deal.

The Upper Deck card above is just flat out wrong.  Can't argue that it's a unique shot, but I'm just glad that Letang isn't the bitch in that relationship.

If anyone has any Kris Letang cards can you send them my way? PLEASE!!!!!!

Also in the $1 collection of Penguins cards to purchase was the above Larry Murphy jersey relic.  Sure it's nothing great, but for a Pens sweater, yeah I'll add it for $1

The final 5 cards in the lot that bought were of the Penguins Captain.  Love him or hate him, he's still one of the best talents in the game and the face of hockey.

Of course I'm talking about Sid.

You can send me cards of him too btw.

Feeling Blue

Today was a really lousy day.  I've been having trouble breathing again so I went to the doctor last week for some blood work.  This week I had more blood work done along with an X-Ray.  I was diagnosed with a blood disorder called polycythemia.

I'm feeling down so I thought I would share my feelings in blue cards that make me actually happy.

Jameson Taillon is one of the top 15 prospects in baseball.  Him and Gerrit Cole should be quite the pitching duo for the Bucs for many years to come.  This is a part of Jameson's 2012 All-Star Futures Game jersey.  The card is number 6/25.

Continuing the blue theme is a jersey swatch of Andrew McCutchen's All-Star game jersey from 2012 Topps.  

 And to close things out I have a 2010-11 Luxury Suite Marc-Andre Fleury jersey and stick relic card.  This beauty is numbered 82/100.

#Hockeyisback

The Pens had to face their Keystone rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers in the season opener yesterday.  There is plenty of bad blood still lingering between these teams who faced each other 8 times to finish out the season last year.  Marc-Andre Fleury looked really sharp between the pipes allowing only 1 goal and making 27 goals. 

Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz, and James Neal contributed goals in the Penguins 3-1 victory on the road. 

Here's a look at some hockey cards I picked up last year before going MIA for six months.

James Neal 2010-11 Leaf Limited Monikers AUTO 15/50
I wanted to add a James Neal auto to my collection for less than $5.  Now I want to add one where he's in a Penguins uniform.

Kris Letang is my favorite player on the ice.  I need to add some more Letang autos to my collection, preferably on card autos.

If anyone has Penguins base cards from 2008 to present that they are looking to trade please let me know.  My goal is to really amp up my hockey collection this coming year. 

Malkin Wins Hart Trophy! I win Malkin Cards

I recently purchased a lot of Evgeni Malkin at my local card show.  The cards were in the $1 bin or 10 for $7.  Needless to say, I went the 10 for $7 route to pick up a few extra Geno cards for my small but growing Malkin collection.

I love that Top Guns insert card.

Congrats on the Hart Trophy Geno!

All the Kings's Men

couldn't let the Flyers win again!
I would love nothing more than to see the Penguins come back 3-0 and win this series against the Flyers. 

LET'S GO PENS!

WELCOME BACK JAMES NEAL!!!!

I am loving this playoff series.  This is some of the most intense hockey I have ever seen offensively.  

Dodgerbobble Hooked me Up AGAIN!

 Josh from Dodger Bobble made a trade with me about a month ago and sent me a pretty sweet collection of cards I needed for my PC.  The main card of the trade was a Frank Thomas jersey card I wanted.  He also sent over a few Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers in exchange for this collection of Dodger relics.  

I was pretty happy with the trade being where it was.  Well Josh sent me over some more cards and I am extremely grateful to add these to my growing Penguins collection.  Look at how young Jaromir Jagr was when he was drafted.  I miss that mullet scoring goals for the Pens.

He also hooked me up with a Jerome Bettis and numbered Troy Polamalu.  I didn't have either of these so they are welcome additions to the collection.

To top things off I got a collection of Pirates.  Some I had, some I didn't.
The ones I didn't are fricking sweet additions.  I'll show the highlights below.

From the 2007 Topps Perez Sketch Cards subset is this Freddy Sanchez.  Sketch cards are awesome.  Even if they are reprinted inserts.  Freddy Sanchez is awesome even if he's not a Pirate anymore.

An AUTO of Abraham Nunez from 1999 Upper Deck ProSigns.  Nunez showed promise early in his career as being a super utility player, but never got enough playing time to show his skills.  Due to a lack of playing time and inability to shine when given starting roles, he had trouble sticking in the majors over his career.  Nunez' best season with the Pirates came in 2003 when he batted .248 with 9 triples, 37 runs scored, and 35 RBI.  That year he also hit 4 homeruns which was the most he would hit in a Pirates uniform.  After stints with the Cardinals, Phillies, and Mets, Nunez is currently playing for the NJ Jackals in the Canadian-American League.

Finally is 3 Andrew McCutchen cards that I previously didn't own.  The quickest way to win me over is by sending me a few Cutch cards for my PC.

With all these Dodger collectors I'm trading with, I don't think I'm going to have any Dodgers left by the end of the year.  Anyone need Steve Sax cards from 1988?  I got a few of those left.  Any interest?

Bobble Bobble Bobble! I made a trade with Dodgerbobble

I received my part of a trade package with Josh from dodgerbobble.com.
The agreement was for a Jose Tabata Gold Futures 2012 insert and a Frank Thomas Bowman Heritage Jersey relic.  Josh didn't stop there though as he added several other nice surprises that I didn't previously have.

This is the agreed upon Frank Thomas jersey card that I received in exchange for the Kershaw jersey I had pulled last year.  The Big Hurt was one of my favorites growing up and I still remember that video game he put out for the old Sega system.  That game was the shit back in the day.

Here's the "vintage" portion of the lot he sent me featuring all past Pirates players.  I actually didn't have any of these except the Wagner Lineage, which I have given to my girlfriend (also a Pirates fan).  It's nice seeing baseball players without their caps on all the time and I'm very happy to add the Stargell 206 card to my collection.  The Van Slyke was needed for my Van Slyke PC so that was a very nice surprise too.  I don't think I've mentioned it here before, but I just recently bought a Jay Bell game used bat on ebay for about $20 so it was nice to get that Bell card just a few days after the bat arrived.

 Dodgerbobble also included 6 Steelers and 3 Penguins.  Both teams are always welcomed in a trade if you're short on Pirates.  I am slowly trying to build up Steelers and Penguins collections and cards of HOFer Mario Lemieux are always welcome.

 Here's some 2012 and 2010 Pirates cards.  The Tabata Gold Futures was part of the deal.  Everything else was a bonus.

Thanks so much for the trade Josh.  I'm looking forward to our next trade.

More Penguins cards: Crosby, Fleury, and Malkin!

The Penguins got some bad news this All-Star weekend when it was announced that Sidney Crosby has a vertebrate abnormality.  There was rumors before the season that Sid should just retire to protect his health.  I'm happy that the Penguins aren't rushing him back out there and despite other key injuries the Penguins are still contending and are bound for the playoffs. 

Evgeni Malkin has been looking like one of the best players in the league this year and has really stepped up to fill the void of Crosby.  James Neal has also been sensational on the offensive threat without Sid the Kid. 

Marc-Andre Fleury continues to be astonishing between the pipes.

I know the Penguins will make the playoffs this season and the most recent rumor is that Sidney Crosby, arguably the best player in the NHL, will return for the playoff run.  It's going to be a fun spring again.

Here's the rest of my Pittsburgh Penguins autograph/relic collection featuring Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury and Evgeni Malkin.

Up first is my only "hit" of Sidney Crosby I own.  But it's a beauty.  This 2007-08 O-Pee-Chee Premier Rare Remnants Triples features Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Evgeni Malkin all on the same card with different color fabrics featuring each player to spell out "PIT" The serially numbered card is 46/50.

Up next is a nice 2 color jersey swatch from goalie supreme Marc-Andre Fleury.  Much like I try to find the yellow patches for Pirates or Steelers cards, I like seeing the gold in newer Penguins jersey cards.  It's just so much more unique to see that color on a card than yellow, black, or grey.

2010-11 Upper Deck Ultimate Jersey 15/100

Same rules apply to this card.  There was a black fabric piece available for this card too, but I opted to buy the gold because it looks better with the colors of the card.  Not a bad pickup for $10.
2009-10 SP Game Used Authentic Fabrics 79/100 JERSEY

I just love Malkin autographs.  I wish they weren't so darn expensive though.  This one was bought for like $28 I think.  It's an on card auto which makes it nicer in my humble opinion.
2010-11 SP Ultimate Signatures Evgeni Malkin AUTO

How many people out there collect hockey besides myself?
Anyone got Penguins cards to trade?

Kris Letang named to All-Star Game

I normally don't have 2 posts in the same day, but this announcement was worth posting immediately without waiting a day.

Kris Letang has earned his 4th All-Star invitation to replace the injured Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.  As a rookie and sophmore Letang skated in the All-Star festivals.  Last year he made his All-Star debut when he was one of the leading online vote getters.  Kris Letang is one of my favorite hockey players and the only player I have an autographed puck of.  I love the way he plays defense and has become a vital part of the Penguins success.  Congrats Kris on making the All-Star game!

Here's my very small Kris Letang collection.  If anyone has Kris Letang (or any Penguins cards in general) you're looking to trade, let me know. 

2006-07 Upper Deck Young Guns ROOKIE

2010-11 UD Game Jersey

 2010-11 Panini Luxury Suite Letang/Talbot JERSEY 84/599

2011-12 Zenith Winter Warriors

Pulled a hit from 2011 Bowman Draft Picks

Last night, while at Wal-Mart I was shopping and on a whim decided to pick up a blaster of 2011 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects.  The blaster contained 7 packs for $19.99.  I normally don't like to buy blasters unless they're reduced.  However, on an impulse I picked it up along with a few other things I went shopping for.

I don't have time to go through every single card or break it down by the pack, but here's some of the highlights.  First up is the gold bordered cards inserted 1 per pack. 

Next are the refractors.  None are numbered.

 An Alex Dickerson Bowman Chrome for the PC

 2 Pirates rookie cards.  I expect both Tony Watson and Alex Presley to be key players for the Pirates this coming season

 and finally a hit.....

Jurickson Profar All-Star Futures Game jersey card.  Jurickson has the makings of being a solid MLB player for the future.  I just wonder if he will ever get the chance since Elvis Andrus is such a key player for that lethal Texas offense.

If anyone wants any of the cards above, just let me know.

As an additional note, the Penguins ended their 6 game losing streak.  Congratulations to Evgeni Malkin for making the All-Star team.  Here's a 2011 Pinnacle City Limits gold jersey card I won a few months ago that hadn't been posted yet.  This card is numbered 468/499.

Football season for me is now over!

Thanks a lot Tim Tebow, the Steelers Super Bowl hopes are ruined.  It's official I don't care what happens with the rest of the football season now.  I have no intentions of throwing a Super Bowl party other than to watch my friends get drunk.  I can only look forward to the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

I decided to make a post about the Steel City Champion cards that I own that have not been previously highlighted on my blog.  I'm going to keep this short and just show off the cards.

Up first 2 time World Series Champion Willie Stargell

2010 Topps 1971 World Series Commemorative Patch

2010 Topps 1979 World Series Commemorative Patch

 2010 Topps Triple Threads 25/27

2010 Topps Triple Threads 15/27

2003 Topps World Series Relic Tributes 48/50


Now for a 2011 Topps Super Bowl Legend coin of Terry Bradshaw serially numbered 32/50

Now for the hockey cards

 a nice dual auto of 2008-09 Stanley Cup Champions Evgeni Malkin & Marc-Andre Fleury serially numbered 17/25

2009 UD Champs Threads Marc-Andre Fleury mini relic card